(Story Courtesy of Trinity University Sports Information Department)
CHICAGO, Ill., - The fifth-ranked Trinity men's soccer team was eliminated from the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Playoffs with a 2-0 defeat at the hand of University of Chicago (IL) in Saturday's Round of 16 game.
GAME SUMMARY
Trinity started off the game with a relentless attack on offense, firing up seven shots and earning four corner kicks in the first nine minutes of action. Four of those shots were on goal, but Chicago's defense withstood the onslaught to keep the game scoreless.
The first Tiger shot came in the third minute as a free kick sailed past the keeper to leave an open net for Fraser Burns. His attempt was on target, but a Chicago defender was able to clear the ball off the line for the team save.
Burns had two more shots on goal during that initial spurt, while Brady Johnston also delivered an on-target attempt.
Trinity led 9-5 in overall shots in the first half, controlling the ball for most of the period.
The second half was a much different story as Chicago dictated the action throughout, holding the Tigers without a shot over the entire period.
Chicago hit the post in the 53rd minute, then just over five minutes later, Trinity goalkeeper Blake Lieberman stopped a pair of shots that came just 33 seconds apart and the game remained scoreless.
After hitting the post again in the 74th minute, the Maroons finally got on the board with a goal that began with a corner kick less than 30 seconds later. After the initial corner was defended, the ball remained in the box and eventually found the back of the net to make it a 1-0 Chicago lead.
Lieberman made his fourth save of the game just over a minute later, but in the 80th minute, Chicago piled on a crucial insurance goal to essentially clinch the win.
NOTABLES
Trinity completed its season with a 17-2-3 record, while Chicago advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals with a 17-2-1 mark.
The Tigers and Maroons battled to a 3-3 tie earlier this season, as Trinity rallied from a two-goal deficit on two occasions to earn the draw.
Chicago led Trinity 18-9 in total shots, and 6-4 in shots on the mark on Saturday.
Blake Lieberman posted four saves and finished the season with 60 in his column.
Trinity advanced to the Round of 16 for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. The Tigers hosted the opening two rounds of the NCAA event last week and defeated Chapman (CA) University and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX) by scores of 3-0.
This year marked Trinity's 17th consecutive appearance in the NCAA postseason and the 22nd overall.